2021 Daily Devotion - Day 451

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When Ken and I visited the Holy Land, we were continually aware of the Gospel stories of Jesus during His earthly ministry. As we entered the Garden of Gethsemane, our guide told us the olive trees we were seeing were over 2,000 years old. Some of them were here during the time of Christ, he pointed out. My mind went back to the time before His crucifixion when Jesus and His disciples went into that garden to pray. Scripture tells us He sweat “great drops of blood” as He anticipated what was about to happen to Him. Jesus knew one of His own would betray Him, and the very crowds that had hailed Him as Lord would turn on Him. He knew the suffering He was to endure through the terrible death by crucifixion, and His anguish was poured out in those great drops of blood. And yet, Jesus willingly went through such pain and degradation because of His great love for humankind.

As I stood in the garden that day, surrounded by those centuries old olive trees, I was overwhelmed by such love. My tears freely fell as I pictured my Lord in this very place, communing with His Father, telling Him “not my will but thine be done”, knowing the soldiers would soon be coming to take Him away, Jesus was steadfast in carrying out His Father’s plan. His sacrificial death meant eternal life for all who accept Him as their Lord and Savior.

We find ourselves in difficult times. Our world is in tension, our country is divided, and evil is all around us. At times I don’t know how to pray. But then, those words of Christ come to me in a still small voice, “not my will but thine be done.” I take great comfort in knowing God has a plan, and His plan includes me! I have no control over the events around me. Right now I am battling cancer and all the side effects from fighting the disease. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know who holds the future! In my mind I go back to that centuries old garden and pray with my Lord, “not my will but thine be done.” And that brings me great peace.

Luke 22:42
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Pray with me:
Loving Father, thank You for Your great love. It is because of such love that we can confidently pray, not my will but Yours be done. In the name of Your Son. Amen.

Nancy Reynen
Mount of Olives Church Small Group Leader
Mount of Olives Church
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